Jayapura – The West Papua National Liberation Army, known as TPNPB, has claimed responsibility for the death of an Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldier, Private First Class (Praka) Bayu Oktara, in Intan Jaya Regency, Central Papua, on Saturday (27/6/2026).
TPNPB Spokesperson Sebby Sambom stated that Praka Bayu Oktara was killed after being shot in the right shoulder during a firefight between TPNPB and TNI forces in Taosiga Village, Agisiga District.
"The Management of the TPNPB National Commission Central Headquarters has received an official report from TPNPB in Intan Jaya that Mayor Aibon Kogoya and his forces are responsible for the death of Praka Bayu Oktara and seven other [TNI soldiers] wounded in a firefight with TPNPB forces in Agisiga District, Intan Jaya Regency on June 27, 2026," Sebby Sambom wrote in his press release on Monday (29/6/2026).
According to Sambom, Mayor Aibon Kogoya also reported that after eight Indonesian military personnel from Task Force Rajawali IV/Yonif 744/SYB were killed and wounded, the Indonesian military immediately retaliated using helicopters, bomb-equipped drones, and RPG fire.
He said military operations in the area had escalated from the night of June 26-29, 2026 into the early morning hours. Numerous bombing attacks struck villages in Agisiga District, causing residents' homes and churches to be burned to rubble.
"Ground operations were also carried out, during which [the military] completely burned down civilian homes in the Agisiga District area. Residents have fled into the forests and to villages in Sugapa District seeking refuge," he said.
The Management of the TPNPB National Commission Central Headquarters also urged the United Nations (UN) to mandate the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council to investigate and probe alleged war crimes in the Land of Papua, purportedly committed by the Indonesian military.
"We also call on the Indonesian government to stop the laying of landmines in civilian settlements in armed conflict zones across the Land of Papua, as this is prohibited under international law," he said.
Based on gathered information, the remains of Praka Bayu Oktara arrived at his hometown of Tri Lomba Bintuhan Village, South Kaur District, Kaur Regency, Bengkulu Province, for burial on Monday (29/6/2026).
Praka Bayu Oktara was a soldier of Task Force (Satgas) Rajawali IV/Yonif 744/SYB from the Special Raider Infantry Battalion 744/Satya Yudha Bhakti.
The Special Raider Infantry Battalion 744/Satya Yudha Bhakti is an elite infantry combat unit under the command of Brigade Infantry 21/Komodo, Kodam IX/Udayana. The battalion is headquartered in Atambua City, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.